Posted by Racer on February 21, 2006, at 17:19:06
In reply to Re: Effexor and Children » summerflowers, posted by jennalouisa on February 21, 2006, at 9:36:32
Based on what you're writing here, the number one concern I have is pretty basic: does he get regular attention from a doctor who understands his issues and whom he trusts? All of that is so important, for anyone, but especially when there are the complicating factors like his history of brain tumor, and being on Effexor under 18.
(As an aside -- I think it's ridiculous to say it's somehow safe AT 18, since that's so arbitrary. But, whatever...)
The reason that Effexor is not approved under 18 -- and for the other drugs, too, which don't have that approval -- has to do with the ethics of doing research on children. Not ethical, because of things like informed consent, the possibility of lasting effects on a developing brain, etc. The lack of approval, though, is mostly a case of "we don't know," rather than a "we know there's a reason not to approve." (You know: absence of evidence is not evidence of absence...) That's the main point in the lack of approval.
There is also the question about whether these drugs increase the risk of suicide. There's controversy about that with adults, and it's stronger with adolescents, probably because adults tend to have stronger inhibitory controls and be less impulsive than adolescents. That's one of those things where simply having been on the planet a few extra years really does offer a bit mroe perspective ;-)
Hope that helps.
poster:Racer
thread:611545
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060219/msgs/611816.html